Refused

Refused (also known as the Refused) was a Swedish hardcore punk band originating from Umeå and formed in 1991. Refused's final lineup was composed of vocalist Dennis Lyxzén, guitarist Kristofer Steen, drummer David Sandström, and bassist Magnus Flagge. Guitarist Jon Brännström was a member from 1994, through reunions, until he was fired in 2013. Their lyrics are often of a non-conformist and politically far-left nature and were for a time associated with the straight edge subculture. The band released their debut album This Just Might Be... the Truth in 1994. They followed this up with Songs to Fan the Flames of Discontent (1996) and five EPs. In 1998, the band released The Shape of Punk to Come, which expanded their sound with jazz and electronic influences, but was initially poorly received commercially and critically. The group disbanded shortly after, during their subsequent tour. Despite limited contemporary success, Refused were influential on the development of rock music in subsequent decades. In 2012, the band reformed and commenced a reunion tour, and later released further albums Freedom (2015) and War Music (2019). Refused embarked on a farewell tour of North America and Europe in 2025, having played their final show on 21 December 2025 in Umeå.